Mommies can have happy hour in DC!

So after The Today show piece on "Do playgroups and happy hour mix"? our various moms message groups went crazy. The most unfortunate thing to come out of this segment with Meridith Vieira, is that it pitts moms, against moms. Those who drink, V's those who are tee-totallers. One is a good mom, one is not.

My mother drank all the time while raising me. She took me to bars during the afternoon with her friends and their children. She would stop by the "off license" after grocery shopping for a 6 pack of Tennants Pilsner Lager. I remember thinking when I got older that the only thing I thought was a little dysfunctional was that back in the 80's they had these super sexy models on the cans of beer. In bikinis.

By the time I was 14 she was paying me to stay at home and babysit my brother by offering me bottles of Peach Schnapps. Delicious with freshly squeezed orange juice, and a shot of vodka. It was totally normal... In Ireland.

I grew up in a country where we didn't designate a certain time "Happy Hour". Anytime is an alright time to have a drink.

When I moved to the states at 18, I was shocked to find out that I could no longer go into a bar legally and get a drink. Here I was an adult, who had travelled thousands of miles away from home by herself to a foreign country, but now I couldn't go out for a vodka and coke. It was surreal. It also meant that I wanted it more, and went to extreme lengths to get it.

Growing up in Europe it was considered completely normal for teens (you know like 14/15/16 years old) to have a beer or glass of wine with dinner, and with their parents present. A 16 year old would never have to "ask for" or worse "sneak" a bottle of beer while he's chilling out playing Xbox.

I have had to check myself on more than one occasion from offering a friend's teenager to help himself to a beer from the fridge. For one thing, my husband, who doesn't drink and is American, would be horrified. My friend, who also drinks, would definitely freak out.

I'm sure 46% of you are thinking with this kinda upbringing I must be a complete alcoholic. You'd be wrong. Sometimes after spending 13 hours a day with two toddlers, I do feel like having a glass of wine. I love having a margarita or two when my husband and I take the kids and go out for tex mex food. I've also had weekend bar-b-ques where most of the adults are drinking some kind of adult beverage, while the children are splashing around in a paddling pool, next to our inground swimming pool, which we're usually floating around in - with those floaty devices that keep your drinks cold on a hot summer day.

Many many weeks ago the Washington Post had an article on Happy Hour places for you to take your children in the DC area. I made sure our moms group knew about them, and we'll try to experience all of them. In no particular order:

WONDERLAND BALLROOM . Once a week, the popular Columbia Heights dive bar with booths made from minivan seats gives itself over to those typically strapped into the back of a minivan. From 5-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, the upstairs bar at Wonderland features Baby Happy Hour. The room is toy-cluttered and baby-proofed -- a safety gate at the top of the stairs keeps the toddlers from tumbling. As is typical when this crowd gets together, the parents set up play dates and the kids roam free, but now it's all done over pints.

http://www.thewonderlandballroom.com/

NICK'S RIVERSIDE GRILLE. This restaurant along Georgetown's waterfront offers up a relaxed outdoor bar with a more low-key atmosphere than the see-and-be-seen attitude of neighboring Sequoia. And through the end of September 2007, Nick's will be slinging more than burgers and fries. On Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., the restaurant will offer kids 12 and younger free craft kits: junior can make a sun visor, or other arts project, while mom gets together with friends for a Cosmo!

http://www.dcseafood.com/nicks/

INDIGO LANDING - has amazing views of Washington's skyline, the restaurant dishes up carrot sticks and apple slices as soon as kids sit down. The restaurant also serves kids' takes on adult cocktails: While moms kick back on the expansive deck with a Cool Plantation ($9), a cocktail made with mango-flavored rum, buckwheat honey, bananas and lime juice, kids can slurp down a Banana Split ($2.50), a drink made with buckwheat honey, bananas, lime juice and crushed ice. Our moms can sip on a Charleston Bog ($9), a thirst-quencher made with Maker's Mark bourbon, smashed raspberries, white cranberry juice, crushed lime and mint, while the junior set can sample the Charleston Cooler ($2.50), which swaps the bourbon for red cranberry juice.

http://www.indigolanding.com/


ARLINGTON CINEMA N DRAFTHOUSE. Converted from a 1930s Art Deco theater shows family-friendly flicks regularly on the schedule, so moms can have an ice cold one while watching "Ice Age" or "Over the Hedge." Typically the $5.50 films are scheduled in the afternoons, but at least once a month they are shown during happy hour. The theater also regularly offers live entertainment (doors open at 11:30 a.m).

http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/

Parents & Kids Happy Hour - Calvert House Inn - Riverdale, MD. A chance to hang out responsibly with other local parents in a smoke free environment. The Inn provides some toys and activities (and the occasional live music show), but feel free to bring the kid's favorite toys and CDs as well. A buffet of kid-friendly foods is available, as is the rest of the dinner menu - and with a 20% discount! [301.864.5220; http://www.calverthouseinn.com] On going Each Wed; check with location for exceptions.

UPDATED ARTICLE ON WEEKEND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AT ARLINGTON CINEMA N DRAFTHOUSE. CLICK HERE!